Tents were being erected in a clearing as a number of men went about preforming the other various tasks that went into getting a large camp set up. Leonidas walked among the busy camp as he looked around to ensure that everyone was doing what they were supposed to. And once he was satisfied that things were going as they should, be headed to the largest tent in the camp. Of which had been set up first and sat a good distance away from the rest as was typical unless they were unfortunate enough to be stuck settling up camp in a smaller, less desirable area.
LEONIDAS
My lord.
The man announced himself at the large tent's entrance.
?
Enter.
Accepting the invitation, Leonidas pushed aside one of the flaps that hung down at the tent's entrance and stepped inside. Inside, he saw their leader standing over a table looking at a map and didn't even bother to look his way as he came inside.
LEONIDAS
The camp is nearly finished being set up and your dinner will be ready shortly my lord.
?
Not hungry.
Leonidas watched as the tall figure picked up a goblet of wine that was sitting on the table beside the map and drank it down before putting the cup down and returning the focus to the large piece of paper spread out before them.
LEONIDAS
Very well, my lord. Is there anything you do need from me before I take my leave then?
?
Another wine skin.
LEONIDAS
Yes my lord, I'll return in a few moments with that for you.
The man left the tent and returned several minutes later. Upon his return, he saw his leader idly lounging among a pile of pillows that had been set up on the floor of the tent with several furs draped over them. He brought over the wine skin and handed it to his leader, who popped it open and took a long drink right from it before setting it on the pillow beside them.
LEONIDAS
I know you said you weren't hungry, but I thought I'd fix you a plate before the rest of the men ate all the good stuff. In case you might want something later.
He held out the plate tentatively for his lounging superior to either accept or decline. And after appearing to consider it for a moment, the offering was accepted and sat on a pillow to go on to be idly picked at periodically. Relieved that the food wasn't thrown back at him, Leonidas gave the typical salute of his fist over his chest that everyone in the army usually did when greeting or leaving their leader's presence.
LEONIDAS
If that's all my lord I will leave you to your evening. That is, unless there was anything else you needed.
The man's leader looked at him for a moment, considering if there was anything else that he needed to do. Leonidas was a tall, muscular man. He had long dark brown hair that he wore pulled back into a ponytail. He had a mustache that connected into a well trimmed beard that covered his entire jaw and matched the color of the hair atop his head. His eyes were dark as his face by default seemed to have an intimidating appearance to it. He wore heavy armor that was an off, dull bronze color and had a few inconsequential designs embedded throughout the metal chest plate, shoulder guards, and gauntlets. From the waist down, he wore simple, very dark blue pants that were tucked into his boots that were also simplistic in design and dark brown. On his back, he carried a large two-handed sword that he could wield with deadly precision on the battlefield. As that along with his natural leadership and tactical mind had led him to climb the ranks within the army to become one of his lord's most trusted advisors. Of which was no small feat as trust was something that was a very difficult thing to gain from his leader who as a rule typically didn't trust anyone other than themselves. Unless given what they saw as sufficient proof to do otherwise. And this was very rare, so Leonidas counted himself lucky to be among the few that were actually trusted.
?
No. That'll be all.
LEONIDAS
Yes my lord. Sleep well.
The man bowed his head slightly as he brought his fist to his chest before turning and exiting the tent.
?
Yeah, yeah.
The army leader took another drink from the wine skin and got comfortable among the pillows as they proceeded to drink themselves into a drunken supper before eventually passing out.
SLAVER 1
(Irritated tone) Shit, where'd that little bitch go?
SLAVER 2
She couldn't have gotten far after that beating Hector gave her.
A few armed men stood among the trees as they looked for the escaped Gabrielle, who was only a few feet away laying on the ground in the cover of some bushes. The men walked around the area for several minutes as Gabrielle did everything she could to remain still and silent as she waited and hoped that they would leave soon. The slavers walked around as they continued to search for their escaped would-be slave. As they searched, one of the men came to the shrubbery where Gabrielle was hiding. Seeing his boots through the branches and leaves, Gabrielle quickly covered her mouth with her hands to stifle a small frightened gasp along her increased, terrified breathing. She then laid completely still as she closed her eyes as she waited and hoped for them to leave. She did her best to ignore the pain in her side from being brutally kicked and stomped in the ribs several times among other areas on her body. All of which were fairly sore, though didn't hurt quite as much as her ribs. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the slaver turned and walked away.
SLAVER 2
Well I can't find her
SLAVER 1
You know that Hector is gonna be pissed that we let her get away.
SLAVER 2
I'm more worried about what Draco's gonna do when he finds out. His temper has been getting worse lately, and I would hate to be anyone who gets on his bad side. Especially when he's in one of his moods.
SLAVER 1
Yeah I know what you mean. I'm just glad it's Hector who has to report directly to Draco and not me.
SLAVER 2
No kidding. Come on, maybe we can make up something to tell Hector so he doesn't go off on us for losing the girl.
The men walked off, and Gabrielle laid there for several more minutes to make sure they were gone before crawling out of the bushes. She stood up and held her side as she tried to think of what to do now.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I have to save Lila, mother and the others who got get taken away. But how? Hopefully I can find someone nearby that can help. I better hurry before they get moving.
Gabrielle pushed through her pain and hurried as fast as she could in search of anyone who might be able to help her.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I can't believe I haven't run into anyone else out her yet.
Gabrielle walked among the trees for some time as she searched for signs that anyone might be around. It was a little later when she found herself coming up to a clearing. She existed the woods she'd been walking around in and stood tiredly as she tried to figure out what to do.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself annoyed/ sarcastically) Great there's nothing around here for as far as I can see.
She looked around.
GABRIELLE
Thinking to herself) Where am I anyway?
Having never ventured too far out from her home village, Gabrielle found herself in unfamiliar surroundings. Returning home wasn't much of an option, as everyone who was left behind wouldn't be any help in rescuing the others still with the slavers. Her thoughts then settled on her mother and sister. They were among the rest of the group that had likely been taken away by now. How would she find them, what could she do? She didn't want to think of what might happen to them if they weren't rescued soon. So even though she was lost and in pain, Gabrielle pushed on as she hoped that she'd find someone who could help her soon.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself annoyed) Now where am I supposed to go?
Gabrielle stood at the bank of a river after walking for a while longer. The water was flowing much too fast for her to just simply walk or swim across, as she looked around for a bridge, but didn't see one.
GABRIELLE
Thinking to herself) Guess I can just walk along the river for a bit. I'm sure there'll be a village or people somewhere along the way.
So Gabrielle began following the river, certain that she'd come across some kind of settlement or people along the way. She'd been following the river for a while when she heard what sounded like horses coming up from behind her. Thinking she had gotten lucky and had finally found help, Gabrielle turned around and saw several riders heading her way. But as they got closer, Gabrielle felt her blood run cold.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) No, they followed me.
Gabrielle turned and started running, which caused Hector and the two other men with him to spot her faster.
HECTOR
(Angry tone) There you are you little bitch. I can't believe Draco actually sent me after you.
He and the other men urged their horses to go faster as they began chasing after Gabrielle.
HECTOR
(Angry tone) You're not slipping away this time. And when I catch you, I'm going to make sure you pay for all the trouble you've caused me.
Gabrielle ran as fast as she could with the pain in her side. She looked over her shoulder as she ran to see Hector and the others catching up to her fast. Returning her gaze forward, Gabrielle pushed on as she looked for some kind of way to escape. She knew that it would be impossible for her to out run them normally, as she never had been the most physically fit girl in her village, let alone household. But with them on horseback, she knew that she only had a matter of moments to figure out some way to escape. Looking ahead, Gabrielle spotted a half fallen tree whose branch looked to nearly reach the other side of the river. Setting her sights on the tree, Gabrielle beelined straight for it in the hopes that she could make it across and find a place to hide before the men chasing her could dismount their horses and follow her across. Gabrielle ran for several more yards so before finally reaching the partially downed tree. Spairing a quick glance back to see her pursuers rapidly closing in, Gabrielle began climbing onto the downed tree. She reached up and pulled herself onto the base of the branch. She then began to crawl along the branch towards the other side of the river. As she moved, she heard Hector and the others reach the river. She looked back and saw one of the men approaching the tree before looking forward again and speeding up. Gabrielle was more than halfway across when she heard a cracking sound. She didn't even have time to wonder what it was before the branch she was on broke right out from under her and she plunged into the rushing river that immediately dragged her under as it swept her away with the unforgiving current.
HECTOR
(Annoyed) Great now I have to tell Draco that he's down a slave to sell.
SLAVER
A firery one like her would've been a difficult one to break anyway. So she might've just saved us the hassle of dealing with her.
HECTOR
Fair point. Come on, let's go. Leave the bitch's body to wash up somewhere down stream and become a meal for the scavengers.
The group of slavers turned back and rode off to meet up with the rest of their group and carry on moving the rest of their new human inventory. Leaving behind the rushing river where there was no remaining trace of Gabrielle as it seemed that this was where the young woman had met her untimely demise.
TO BE CONTINUED...